Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

Comments

The sales comment and redesign is tht your opinion or fact? If fact from where? Like I said mb and Nissan getting together on a 6 that will be the standard engine for a boatload of cars - I have no read anything on the redesign, which is funny because it's match and Infiniti usually releases new models in oct-

Didn't realize the G's current iteration was that "mature". But, you're right, it's time for a major upgrade. They've got about as much mileage out of that platform (both the Altima and the G) as they can wring out of it.

Same with the IS. I remember looking at an IS350 6 years ago. Wanted to pull the trigger, but the local Lexus dealer acted insulted that I tried to negotiate on it. Now, I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on one.

I can see how the current lux/sport landscape is settling in. On the very top end, you have the BMW 3. On the mid-range, you have the A4/5 and Mercedes C. On the entry range, there's the TL and the G....these are the biggest "bang for the buck" in this range.

I'm going to watch the next iterations of the TL and the G closely. I've always liked both.

Fact: The G is in its sixth model year 2007-2012 - your playing with semantics, all that changed between 2008 and 2009 was the 3.7 liter V6 and 7spd transmission.

Fact: The G was down 9% for Jan 2012 in sales and just now broke even with YTD in 2011.

Fact: The introduction of the G25 did not increase the G's overall sales number in the quantity Infiniti originally hoped for.

Fact: The Altima is being redesigned for 2013

With this FACTUAL information, there is a need to introduce a redesign G that is more refined, has much better mpg, etc than the current 2nd Gen G series. Like someone else mentioned, Infiniti has milked its current iteration. They need something fresh to keep nipping on the heels of the 3-Series!

Hey, I'm not Infiniti hater, I had an Infiniti at one point, but they need to get their act together to stay competitive. I think this co-op with Mercedes will bring the refinement to the Infiniti line-up that everyone has wanted and complained about for years. I hope they apply this as well and bring a redesigned FX and EX b/c those two crossovers are not helping their sales numbers either.

I'm not sure how the G is on the lower end of that range considering it is constantly compared against the 3-Series. If anything the 3-Series and G are at the top of the range, with the A4/C-Class in the middle and ES/TL on the lower end of the range.

The TL isn't in this class at all, though, as it's a large luxury sedan that's similar to a Cadillac or Lexus. It's also front wheel drive, which further complicates the problem.

To be entry level and performance, it has to have three things.- Rear wheel drive. If it is AWD, it absolutely has to be rear-wheel biased. (performance part #1)- Be midsize or compact (performance part #2)- Not just a tin can with a bunch of leather added.

Fact is you have yet to post any actual information from any source about the redo. You quote sales numbers. The sales figure you quoted, fact says they sold the same Amt of cars ytd as they did in 2011- so they are flat by your estimates. You stated the obvious that they are in the 7th year with the current car, and while I agree they need a refresh I have not seen any word on this coming, but you stated Fact that they are a go for 2013, maybe a spy shot or 2 of Infinitis main seller. I would like to see the press release or a car mag that inFact states this is true- not some comment about the Altima, a car that's for sure the same body style bit 90% of its sales are 4cyl, is fwd, and uses a cvt- 3 major differences when doing a redu. Its great to have an opionion but it's not Fact no matter how many times you write it.

Everything I stated was fact. Perhaps if you spent less time arguing with people on here about how great Infiniti is, and actually do some research online, you wouldn't have to be so argumentative.

BTW - I never said Infiniti confirmed a redesign for 2013, as myself and others have pointed, we said they are in NEED of a redesign as the car is in its sixth model year. Big difference. Nor did I say the car is in its seventh model year. If you do some simple math 2012-2007, that is 6 yrs not 7 yrs.

Everything I stated is fact, as is the Altima sharing the same platform as the G Sedan so if the Altima is getting redesign, it makes logical sense that the G would be as well as that is a common occurrence when platforms are shared.

so if the Altima is getting redesign, it makes logical sense that the G would be as well as that is a common occurrence when platforms are shared.

Not if moving forward with the same platform. The sheetmetal bolted to it isn't shared between the vehicles, so it doesn't matter if one gets redesigned UNLESS it is moving to a new platform.

HOWEVER, in this case, you are incorrect anyway, as the G is on the FM platform (RWD/AWD), while the Altima is on the D platform.

Speaking of which, the FM platform is already 11 years old. I wish Nissan would either replace it altogether or keep using it just for SUVs. The damned thing results in porky cars. They need something lighter yet more rigid for the Z/G, IMHO.

Thanks for posting that.I was going to look up the relationship between those 2 - but had not, yet.Did not seem logical, to me...[ like the Infiniti Coupe and the Nissan 370Z - both RWD - does ]- RayCurrently a RWD coupe driver ......

Backtract once again- smarty you are so back to your TL driving ways.... (remember when you argued for the tL, then 6mrhs later you traded it in for the 3)- Fact is you state the obvious and add no real value. Mb and Infiniti getting together, 2011 production issues, global economic issues= no redo for 2013.

What is the title of this discussion? "Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans". My issue is that many cars that are just thrown into the discussion based upon either price or the fact that they are the bottom-tier model of the make.

A "Performance Sedan" is another name for "Sports Sedan", right? Well, let's see that it says on wikipedia: (Note - when I typed in "Performance Sedan, it pulled up Sports Sedan instead)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_sedan

Quote:The term "sport sedan" also came into being, when comparing luxury import sedans (i.e. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz), which were smaller cars popular with young buyers that focused on performance and handling, to domestic luxury marques such as Cadillac and Lincoln, for older customers and which emphasized size and comfort."

A big front wheel drive boat like the TL isn't part of this group, anymore than a Toyota Camry V6 is. And before you go off on me about the TL being on the list on that Wikipedia page, it's referring to the previous generation A-Spec model that was sold in Canada and Japan only. The current model is much larger and more like a fancy Camry than a sports sedan.

When I heard the original poster talking about choosing between the TL and a G37, I had to do a double-take. Did he actually drive both of them at anything faster than 30mph around the block?

I could not agree more, however not too sure where in NY NYCcarguy lives, my cousin lives on Long Island the roads are horrible at best, the sport package would be the death of people.... Now living in PHX, sport package (really the M package) is the only way to go.

Flightnurse - I actually don't live in NYC anymore (I did when I 1st signed onto edmunds back in the late 1990's). I live in Connecticut now. But yes, the roads here in the northeast are terrible at best.

I went to a BMW dealer on my way home from work today. 1st sat in a gorgeous Black Saphire/Red 135i M Sport/6 speed. After dreaming for a sec and then thinking what my wife would hurl at me for bringing that home, I sat in an E90 328xi. One thing I live about my Acura is the thickly bolstered seats. The seats in the non sport (E90) 3 are just very plain Jane. I most cars in the northeast are ordered w/o the sports pkg. I think I'll wait it out until I can afford what I want & not just take a car because it's a good deal.